This was NOT in the travel guide

Imagine standing knee deep in thorn-covered weeds called "nettles" that prick your legs with each step on the trail. The taller version of this pesky weed, also called "sting weed," grabs your arms and hands as you move along your designated foot path. You have forty pounds of stuff in the pack on your back and you've walked three miles, mostly up hill. However, the real concern at this point is not all this fun stuff but the fact that you are drenched from head to foot from a pouring rain which shows no sign of going away.

We're ''only'' three miles from the shelter we will be staying in tonight and the attitude of your group is rather somberly as we trudge toward the goal through all these obstacles. After a prolonged period of silence as our group hikes through the downpour, I sarcastically interject that, "I don't remember this in the travel guide."

Walkabout 2000

The Walkabout program takes student leaders from the Greenville campus to the Smoky Mountains National Park for a ten-day experience in leadership training. The students are pushed and sometimes prodded out of their comfort zones physically, mentally and, most importantly, spiritually. The program takes student leaders like resident assistants, student government, yearbook editors and others into the wilderness to experience stillness. God works through this stillness when students spend forty-eight hours in solitude as they fast and seek God's will for the school year and, more importantly, life.

As an alumnus of Greenville College, I remember the importance of these wilderness experiences in my on journey through college and life. So it was not totally unexpected when I got a little prod from my college friend and dean of students, Norm Hall. He had the passion to start the walkabout program in the fall of 1999 at Greenville because he had seen how well it worked at Azusa Pacific University when he helped to administer their program. Like most new programs at a college, funding is always a problem so Norm faithfully took up the challenge and began to call alumni friends like myself to give a little extra for this new program. Norm sent me a back pack and told me I had to come along and see how my money was being spent.

The first year, 1999 was a great success with over thirty people participating in the program. We could see how students and leaders were changed and wanted to go back to the Greenville campus and show others how God had worked through their lives. Walkabout 2000 grew to over fifty people and each got a small glimpse of what God can do with a heart that is willing to be still and attentive to God's voice. Decisions were made and friendships formed that will last a lifetime. I know personally that college experiences like Walkabout can make the difference between being a nominal Christian and being one who really makes an impact on their world.

Oh yeah, let me finish the rest of this soggy journey and tell you what else happened that was not in the travel guide. We sloshed in the rain for a total of six miles to our next shelter where we were scheduled to spend the night. No complaints from anyone. Our students were amazed at themselves that they could do all this especially considering they had just finished their Solo experience. The solo consists of 48 hours of fasting with only water to drink. The time is spent in solitude seeking God's presence and guidance for the year and for other life changing decisions.

Soggy finish

We made it to our stopping point on the trail which was a stone shelter that had new tin roof and lovely vista of trees. The three sided shelter about the size of a two car garage had a large opening that faced down a tree filled ravine. We ate dinner and took care of the normal chores of getting ready for the evening. Everyone sat down to the campfire to be warmed and begin what is affectionately called "the interview," another facet of the Walkabout program that draws students out of their comfort zone to share their life experiences with one another. This time of sharing helps to bond together a group of individuals into friends.

Our shelter had a small fireplace which we sat around as one person in our group began to share their life's story. A small crackling fire, dark imposing woods and a light, gentle tapping of rain on the tin roof sets the relaxed atmosphere for sharing with the group. Incredibly, the interview time draws out of each person both good and bad things from their past, present, and immediate future. Our group seemed to thrive more on this evening's interviews because we had gone through so much just to get here. After each interview, everyone in the group gathers around the person being interviewed, places a hand on them, and prays for their specific needs. It's like a warm embrace to make yourself vulnerable to this group knowing that your secrets safe with them. Wow, that was certainly not in the travel guide either.

Get involved

It was wonderful to spend ten days in the woods with Greenville students who are really starting to build a solid Christian foundation, one that will produce an effective Christian life. I certainly want to see Walkabout continue to grow while moving in the lives of students.

You can help by getting involved:

1. You can give to the program directly by assigning donations to the college and the Walkabout program specifically on giving envelops.
2. You can join the team by signing up for the Walkabout program. Alumni are certainly more than welcome ... but be prepared for the challenge.
3. You can encourage students and faculty to participate in next year's program.
4. You can pray for the program and Greenville College as it continues to make a difference in lives around the world.